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ReCon Waste Management Optimizes Material Recovery with Electric Drum Drive
ReCon Waste Management implemented Technidrive’s electric Drum Drive to replace inefficient hydraulic systems, achieving a 40% reduction in power demand and enhanced reliability.
www.technidrive.co.uk
Application Area: Waste Processing and Material Recovery | Industry Sector: Waste Management and Recycling
ReCon Waste Management, based in Northern Ireland, specializes in the recovery and recycling of diverse waste streams, including gully arisings, road sweepings, and automotive shredder residue. The facility utilizes a waste washing plant to process approximately 20 tonnes of mixed waste per hour, recovering aggregates that would otherwise be directed to landfills.
The company faced significant operational challenges with its original hydraulic feeder drive. This system suffered from frequent gearbox failures and high energy consumption. Furthermore, the inherent risks of hydraulic systems—such as potential oil leaks—posed environmental and health hazards, particularly the risk of soil and groundwater contamination.
To align with industry trends toward circular-economy practices and resource recovery, ReCon sought to improve energy efficiency, safety, and reliability. The objective was to replace the hydraulic unit with a solution capable of maintaining a consistent, controllable feed rate onto the plant’s washing and screening equipment. ReCon selected Technidrive to engineer an electric alternative based on their expertise in high-torque, compact drive solutions.
Engineering the Electric Drum Drive Solution
Technidrive proposed a right-angle 80A Drum Drive as a direct electric replacement. This solution was specifically engineered to meet the high-torque, low-speed requirements of a feeder starting under heavy load.
Technical Specifications and Efficiency:
- Gearbox Configuration: A bespoke combination of a bevel helical gearbox and a planetary rotating case gearbox provided the necessary torque multiplication within a compact footprint.
- Motor Technology: The system utilizes a WEG W22 IE3-rated electric motor with an IEC-approved input, allowing for standardized motor replacements without custom machining.
- Energy Reduction: The transition from a hydraulic power pack to the electric Drum Drive reduced power demand from approximately 50 kW to under 30 kW.
- Design Benefits: The 80A Drum Drive utilizes 52% less mass and offers a 20% increase in torque capacity compared to traditional drive configurations.
The mechanical design is sealed and oil-filled, eliminating external chains, belts, and greasing points. This reduces maintenance complexity and eliminates the risks associated with hydraulic fluid disposal and spills.
Implementation and Operational Results
The replacement drive was designed to match the existing footprint, shaft position, and mounting faces of the original hydraulic unit. This allowed for a straightforward installation with minimal mechanical modifications to the conveyor geometry.
During the commissioning phase, Technidrive provided immediate technical support when a gearbox seal required reconfiguration under full load. The unit was serviced and returned to the site within hours, ensuring minimal downtime.
"The Technidrive team collected the unit, changed the seal configuration and had it back on site within just a few hours... We were up and running again the same day and the drive has performed flawlessly ever since." — Daniel Connolly, Managing Director at ReCon Waste Management.
Conclusion
By adopting the electric smart building systems approach to industrial drive technology, ReCon Waste Management has stabilized its throughput at 20 tonnes per hour. The project demonstrates that high-torque electric drum drives can successfully replace hydraulic systems in harsh environments, providing superior energy efficiency, safety, and maintainability.
Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
Implementation and Operational Results
The replacement drive was designed to match the existing footprint, shaft position, and mounting faces of the original hydraulic unit. This allowed for a straightforward installation with minimal mechanical modifications to the conveyor geometry.
During the commissioning phase, Technidrive provided immediate technical support when a gearbox seal required reconfiguration under full load. The unit was serviced and returned to the site within hours, ensuring minimal downtime.
"The Technidrive team collected the unit, changed the seal configuration and had it back on site within just a few hours... We were up and running again the same day and the drive has performed flawlessly ever since." — Daniel Connolly, Managing Director at ReCon Waste Management.
Conclusion
By adopting the electric smart building systems approach to industrial drive technology, ReCon Waste Management has stabilized its throughput at 20 tonnes per hour. The project demonstrates that high-torque electric drum drives can successfully replace hydraulic systems in harsh environments, providing superior energy efficiency, safety, and maintainability.
Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
